Flavonoids Targeting the mTOR Signaling Cascades in Cancer: A Potential Crosstalk in Anti-Breast Cancer Therapy

Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2022 Jun 27:2022:4831833. doi: 10.1155/2022/4831833. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death in women, with triple-negative breast cancer being the most lethal and aggressive form. Conventional therapies, such as radiation, surgery, hormonal, immune, gene, and chemotherapy, are widely used, but their therapeutic efficacy is limited due to adverse side effects, toxicities, resistance, recurrence, and therapeutic failure. Many molecules have been identified and investigated as potential therapeutic agents for breast cancer, with a focus on various signaling pathways. Flavonoids are a versatile class of phytochemicals that have been used in cancer treatment to overcome issues with traditional therapies. Cell proliferation, growth, apoptosis, autophagy, and survival are all controlled by mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling. Flavonoids target mTOR signaling in breast cancer, and when this signaling pathway is regulated or deregulated, various signaling pathways provide potential therapeutic means. The role of various flavonoids as phytochemicals in targeting mTOR signaling pathways in breast cancer is highlighted in this review.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cell Proliferation
  • Female
  • Flavonoids* / pharmacology
  • Flavonoids* / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Signal Transduction
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms*

Substances

  • Flavonoids
  • MTOR protein, human
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases